Two Australian reportedly arrested in Kuwait over IS connections

Authorities in Kuwait say two Australian- Lebanese citizens are among a group of extremists, that have been charged with supporting the Islamic State militant group.

According to local media in the country, the pair have been charged with financing and arming an IS terrorist cell.

The cell, made up of 10 people, is alleged to have transferred funds to Turkey and Australia, to assist in recruitment for IS.

However it’s unknown how the accounts operated in Australia.

The men have also been accused of trying to smuggle high-tech anti-aircraft missiles into Syria.

The statement named the Australian pair as Hisham Mohammad Zahab and Rabih Zahab, but the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade said it has not been able to immediately confirm the reports.

If found guilty of terrorism charges in Kuwait, the men could face decades in jail or even the death penalty.

In a statement, Kuwait authorities said the syndicate was led by Lebanese-born Syrian national Usama Mohammad Said Khayat.

“[Khayat] was in continuous contact with ISIS leadership in Syria, and confessed to printing stamps and designing seals bearing the logo of ISIS, and transferring sums of money to accounts in Turkey and Syria,” the statement said.